Eating Disorders

Contents: About Eating Disorders Related Services at Tang Center Additional Online Resources, including online screening Related Topics

About eating disorders

There are many influences on an individual's self image. Genetics, personality, cultures and family impact our perception of ourselves and our bodies. We are living, however, in a society that places a value on body weight. As a result, millions of Americans, both women and men, are taking drastic measures to be thin. In doing so, they often sacrifice their health, and in some cases, their lives.

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that affects 1% of young women. It is characterized by an intense fear of fat, a disturbed sense of body image, and an obsessive desire to be thin. The result is a life-threatening loss of body weight, usually from dietary restriction or self-starvation.

Bulimia nervosa is a disorder that affects 2-4% of young women. It is associated with recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting or vigorous exercise). It is accompanied by feeling of being out of control, guilt and shame. Bulimia also involves being overly concerned with body weight and shape.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a condition that resembles bulimia nervosa in that individuals binge eat and experience feelings of being out of control. Unlike bulimia, however, BED individuals do not purge after binge eating. Individuals with BED may be of average weight, overweight or obese. Many individuals present with a combination of symptoms. In all cases, however, disordered eating behaviors place individuals at risk both medically and psychologically.

A serious problem

An eating disorder can begin as a simple diet, or as changes in behaviors that often go unnoticed by others. Unfortunately, individuals with eating disorders often deny their problem and find shame in seeking help.

Eating disorders can lead to harmful medical, psychological, and nutritional consequences. It is currently reported that the long-term mortality rate of eating disorders is as high as 20%. In fact, eating disorders can affect every organ system in the body.

Some of the major health risks resulting from eating disorders include:

• heart failure
• osteoporosis
• infertility
• kidney failure
• depressed immune system
• pneumonia
• liver disease
• exercise-related injuries such as stress fractures
• death

We need to be aware of the seriousness of eating disorders, and recognize the signs and symptoms involved. Eating disorders can be treated, but individuals need appropriate help from qualified health care professionals. Treatment usually involves a team approach including care from physicians, psychologists, nurses and nutritionists. Support from family and friends is also needed to help those suffering from an eating disorder.

Related services at the Tang Center

See: Eating Disorders: Medical, Counseling and Educational Services

Self-Care Resource Center
University Health Services, Tang Center, Second Floor
(510) 642-7202
Numerous articles, books, and videos on eating disorders are available.

Additional online resources

• UHS offers a brief Online Screening for Eating Disorders.
  
  
• Overeaters Anonymous East Bay Unity Intergroup
  P.O. Box 11561
  Oakland, CA 94611
  Overeaters Anonymous
  
  
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
  Box 7 Highland Park, IL 60035 (708) 831-3438
  
  
• National Eating Disorders Organization
  6665 South Yale Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
  (918) 481-4044
  www.laureate.com
  
  
• Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED)
  PO Box 5102, Eugene, OR 97405
  (503) 344-1144
  www.anred.com
  
  
• American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc. (AABA)
  418 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021
  (212) 501-8351
  www.aabainc.org

Related topics

• Nutrition Resources

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Last revised: August, 2005

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